NATURE, HISTORY AND HORTICULTURE IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
VOLUME 4, NO.1 SPECIAL ISSUE, WINTER 2004
SSUE ALURIVOLUNTEERS, I C S P E TO O PARTNERS
D E D I C ATED AND DS F R I EN
Looking Back, Looking Ahead By Lee Stephenson, Division Director, Resource Management
T
he New Year is looking bright for our county’s resources with the creation of Fairfax County Park Authority’s first-ever, agency-wide Natural Resource Management Plan. The plan will guide our efforts to preserve and protect natural resources in county parks for the next five years. We are exhilarated by the enthusiasm the draft plan has produced, here in the Park Authority and county-wide, and eager to begin implementation after the plan is adopted this winter by the Park Authority Board. (If you would like to read or download the plan, go to our web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.) But our “plans” don’t end there. Increased support for resource management has also resulted in prominent placement of resource management needs and goals in the 2003 update of the 20022006 Fairfax County Park Authority Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan focuses on new and better ways to integrate natural and cultural resource protection in all aspects of the Park Authority’s work, including a policy for exotic invasive plants and partnerships to gain expertise in managing natural resources. We would not be able to accomplish nearly as much as we do without the dedicated volunteers and partner organizations that support our work and play a crucial role in connecting citizens with Fairfax County’s heritage. These groups continue to thrive, contributing invaluable financial resources and hands-on services to county park lands. The words “agony and ecstasy” also come to mind in looking back on 2003. The agony was the deep budget cuts that crippled the operation of two county natural resource sites — Riverbend Park
in Great Falls and Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. Fortunately, even this was followed by great joy when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors restored all operating funds to both sites effective October 1st, 2003, as part of an outpouring of community support.
“Over the years, support for resource management has steadily grown. It underscores the recognition that caring stewardship of our heritage is inseparable from and vital to quality of life in Fairfax County.” The Friends of Hidden Oaks Nature Center was formed by citizens in response to the budget cuts and the group quickly recruited over 200 members. Similarly, in response to this crisis, the existing Friends of Riverbend Park grew dramatically this year. These groups played a key role in working with the Board of Supervisors demonstrating that nature centers and natural areas are essential to Fairfax’s quality of life. With funds from the 1998 Park Bond, Hidden Oaks and Hidden Pond Nature Centers completed the installation of beautiful, permanent exhibits this year that will delight and educate thousands of visitors.
What’s RMD? RMD stands for Resource Management Division. It is the part of the Park Authority responsible for natural, historical and horticultural resources.
What’s inside. . . Save This Page .............
2
Interpretation ...............
3
Partnerships ................. 4 Volunteers ..................... 5 Mission Protect ............. 7 Joys of Winter ............... 8
LOOKING continued on page 6
p Fairfax County Park Authority • Fairfax, VA 22035 • 703-324-8695 • FAX 703-324-3996 • TTY 703-324-3988 • www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources Special Issue, Winter 2004
1